Electrically-controlled receptacle closure



March 25, 1930. M. J. DU FEAU ELEC'I'R:[CLLY CONTROLLED RECEPTACLE CLOSURE Filed July 11. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet FJ Ft m j .ill

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A TTORNE Y.

March 25,1930. M. J. DU PEAU 1,751,801

ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED RECEPTACLE CLOSURE Filed July' 11, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Wl TN E $556 INVENTOR A TTORNE Y.

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1 y Il Patented Mar. 25, 1930 -warren STATES MAURICE J'. DU FEAU, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN ELECTRICALLY-CONTROLLEDRECEPTACLE CLOSURE Application filed July 11, 1924. Serial No. 725,532.

receptacle closure which is electrically controlled from a distance in order to gain access to the interior of the receptacle, whereby kunauthorized ,entrance to the receptacle isV prevented.

Another object of the invention is to provide closure locking means in which a locking member is electromagnetically actuated for opening the closure and is held in locking position against forcing by a second electromagnetically actuated locking means.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electromagnetically actuated closure which when open breaks the controllingcirgu cuits. Y

A further object of the invention is to provide a kreceptacle having an I,electromagnetically actuated closure which opens to discharge the contents upon the establishment g5 ofcontrolling circuits. v

A further obj ect ofthe invention is to provide means for e'iecting an alarm upon unauthorized manipulation of the closure or displacement of the receptacle.

A further object of the invention is to perfect details of construction generally.

The invention further consists ofthe several featnreshereinafter set forth and more particularly defined by the claims at the con- 35 clusion hereof. y

In the accompanyingdrawings: Fig. l is -an elevation view of the money deposit boX embodying the invention as incorporated in suitable stand and adapted forreceiving 4U contributions in a church, parts of the box and stand being broken away and parts be- .ing shown in section;` Y

' Fig. 2 is a-longitudinal sectional view of the money deposit box-shown in Fig. 1

45 .F.ig.. 3A is an end-view of the box;

V21 where it is adapted for use inreceiving Fig. t is a sectional view taken on the line p Y 4 4 of Fig. 2, parts being broken away and parts being shown in section; y v Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2; Y a Y Fig. Gis a sectional view taken on the line 6-6ofFig-5; v

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 5, but showing the closure in an open position; Y .55

Fig. 8 is a wiring diagram showing the controlling and alarm circuits;

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional Vview of the bottom of the stand and its electrical connections with the floor receptacle; and v 60 Fig. l0 is a top view of the floor receptacle, parts being broken away. l

In these drawings, indicatesV a money deposit boX mounted within a suitable stand contributions in a church. The box 20 comprises a casing 22 having an vopening 23 in `its bottom normally closed by va closure plate 24: and mounted in the upper portion of the stand by angles 25 preferably adjacent an edge band 26 which is provided with a coinreceiving slot 27 disposed in register with a slot 28 inthe upper portion of the casing.

The casing 22 is cast of suitablemetal and is covered byhardened steel plates 29 to pre- 75` vent drilling through or breakage by a blow.

The plates uare secured tothe casing by'countersunkscrews 30 flowed over' with metal to prevent their removal and the closureplate24 is likewise protected afplate 31 secured 80 thereto by conntersnnk screws 32 "and Ais mounted toswing inthe casing by intermediately disposed aligned trunnions 33 journalled in the casing but concealed from the outside vby the-steel covering, as shown in a5 I plate. yA locking bolt34 is slidablymount- .edin spaced brackets 35 and 13.6,'which "are 90 :24 may beswung open.,l

through the linkage to -pin 46 out of the epening in thellocking bolt :t1 ,plunger's 53,

mounted on the closure plate by countersunk screws 37 flowed over with metal to prevent removal. The locking bolt cooperates with a keeper 38 comprising a heavy flat spring having its upper end secured to the front wall oic the casing and having its lower free end 39 projecting outwardly to receive the end of' the bolt, which is beveled to pass the keeper on its upward movement.

An armature 40 is secured transverselyof the locking bolt by a tongue 4l projecting from the former and fastened to the upper edge of the bolt by a screw 42, the tongue also serving to limit the forward movement of the bolt by its abutment with the bracketee. 'o

The armature is disposedadjacent electroniagnets 43 mounted in brackets 44 secured to the closure plate on eitherside of the locking bolt. 1When energized, the electromagnets retract the locking bolt under certain conditions Lhereinafter set forth and permit the closure to swing open.

,The rear end of the lockingbolt is provided with a transverse opening 45 to receive a .locking pin 46 slidably mounted in the bracket 35, as seen in Fig. 4, Vlien the bolt is in its .locked position, thereby preventing any atteinot to forcethe bolt.

The outer end o the locking pinl 46 is pivotally connected to the lower end of thelever 47 pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on a bracket 48 secured to the closure plate.

.A rod 49 has one end pivot-ally connectedto the upper end of the lever and is slidably .mounted inthe upper partof the bracket 35 substantially parallel with the locking pin,

to prevent'binding.

The othery end of the rod 49 is provided with an armature 50 which` is disposed adjacent electr-omagnetV 5l mounted on the bracket 35. The electromagnetwhen energized serves tov attract the armature 50 and to permit the latter to be moved by theV electromagnet 43 in order that the closure plate he locking pin is retained in normally locked position by a .spring 49 mounted over the rod 49 and urgingit away from the electromagnet 5l.

ln order Vto connect the electromagnets with asource of current the bracket 35 is provided 'with'jan insulating plate 32 in which are Vmounted spring i,ilungers 53,54 and 55, 56 having 'connectionsl with the electronia'gnets' 43and 5l respectively. Y

When the receptacle is closed'the spring 54, and 56 bear against contact members 57, 58, 59, 60. respectively, passingthrough the rear wall of the casing to form terminals and insulated therefrom.Y

A contact shoe 6l is adjustably secured to the bracket 'by a rscrew62a-nd extends adother purposes.

a L .1." retract the locking liolcking bolt jacent an insulated contact member 63 in the casing, similar to contact members 57 to 60.

A grounding terminal 64 is secured to the casing at the other side of the rear wall, and when an attempt is made to torce the closure plate, a slight inward movement of the plate at the forward end will establish Contact between the grounded contact shoe 61 and the insulated contact member 63, and thereby effeet an alarm circuit hereinafter described.

The stand is provided with a tubular support 65 in the bottom end of which an insulating plate 66 is inserted to receive spring pressed contact plungers 67 connected to the contact members or terminals, 57, 58, 59, 60, u

63 and 64 in the casing by conductors 65, 66, 67, 68, 69 and 70, respectively. VChoke coils or resistors 7l disposed in the stand may be introduced into the conductors 67 and 68 to limit the current How through the electroinagnet 51.

A floor receptacle 72 is provided to complete the control and alarm circuits andto permit the stand to be moved for cleaning or The receptacle includes an insulating block 7 3 provided with upwardly projecting studs 7 4 entering the lowerends of openings 75 in a superimposed insulating block 76 secured thereto and to the casing of the receptacle by screws 77. The spring plungers 67 in theV tubular support of the stand then enter the ripper ends ot' the openings to engage the contact studs7 4, tl ese being preferably unsymmetrically arranged to insure connections of correct polarity.

A spring Contact arm 78 is secured to the upper side of the insulating block 73 and has its free endwnormally depressedout of contact with a contact linger 79'by an adjustable screw 8O projecting downwardlyV from the insulating block .66 in the bottom of the -tubular support 65 intoengagement with a `mot/"able insulating button 81 pressing on the Contact arm. The contact arm and linger are connected to the contact 'studs receiving con- -ductors69 and 70, respectively, which together with conduct-ors 65 through-68 continue through the receptacle connect-ion.

Yconductor 65 for. supplying current t 4the electromagnet 43 is connected to one blade of a double pole switch 82 while conductor 68 for supplying current to the electroniagnet' 51'is connected to the otherblade. lContact yclips 63 and S4 ofthe switch are connected together to a'conductor 85 which'with conductor 66 form the supply leads. The clip 83 is lower than the clip 84'so theorie blade of the switfh will inakecontact'before the other to energize 'he electromagnet 5l before the electromag,- net 43 is energized. Asa result the locking 46 is withdrawn from ,the opening'iu the 34,'permitting the latter to be" withdrawn fi'omthe keeper 38 by the electromagnet 43. The closure plate then swings 'downward on its trunnions and discharges the money into a basket 86 suspended below the box, whereupon the money may be removed. To avoid the noise and racking of parts, the pivoted closure plate swings down freely without hitting any stop.

To avoid interference with the mechanism by money deposited in the box` through the slotf28, a shielding plate 87, preferably of insulating material is fastened to the armature receptacle will also close the circuit by the engagement of thecontact arm 7 8 with the finger 7 9 when the pressure of the screw 8O is removed.

rlhe controlling circuits are opened as the closure opens, so that the current flows only momentarily through the electromagnets. This feature also obviates the use of flexible connectors which are liable to break and cause difficulties in opening the closure.

lVhile I have shown the electromagnetic actuating mechanism mounted on the closure plate it is obvious that modifications may be made in whichthe mechanism is mounted in the receptacle, and the closure plategmay assume various positions, according tothe use contemplated of the receptacle.

As the closurecannot be moved except upon the operation of internal electrically controlled mechanism, it will be seen that pilfering or tampering with the receptacle is effectively prevented l/Vhen the closure plate 24 swings on its trunnions 33 vto the tilted open position of Fig. 7, the electro-magnets 3 and 5l become dla-energized, as heretofore described, and the locking bolt 34 falls gravity to its f0rward position in which the spring-urged locking pin 46 .enters theopenng 45 in the locking bolt to retain the bolt against longitudinal displacement. When tlieclosure plate' is subsequent-ly swung back to its closed horizontal position, the locking bolt displaces the resilient kee er V38 and engages above they hooked lower end of the keeper to again lock the closure plate in closed position.

What l claim as new vand desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a receptacle, the combination witha casing, of a pvotally mounted. gravity# opened closure for said casing, a locking niember mounted on the closure and movable into engagement with apart ontlie casing to lock Vthe closure, an electromagnet mounted on the closure and cooperating with an armature t0 retract saidlocking memberY out of locking position, a retaining member normally engageable with said locking member to prevent movement out of locking position, means including an electromagnet for releasing said retaining member to permit electromagnetic retraction of said locking member and subsequent fall of-said closure, and conductors for said electro-magnets extending through the walls of said casing.

2, In a receptacle, the combination with a casing, of a i pivotally mounted gravityopened closure for saidcasing, `a locking member mounted on the closure and movable into engagement with fa parten the casing to llock the closure, `an electromagnet mounted on the closure and co-operating with an armature to retract said locking member out of locking position, a retaining member normally engageable with said locking member to preventv movement out of locking position, means including an electroma-gnetfor releasing said retaining member to permit electromagnetic retraction of said locking member,` andmeans operated by theopening fall ofV the closure for deenergizingsaid electromagnets.

3. In a receptacle, the combination with a casing having anfupper coin receivingopening and a bottomcoin dischargeopening, a

gravity-opened closure pivoted to said casing and4 normally closing saidV discharge opening, a" locking memberffor normally locking said closure, electromagnetic means for retracting said locking .member out of locking positionV tofpermit saidclosureto tilt andV discharge vthecontents yof the, receptacle and a container disposed belowhsalid casing and receiving the coins discharged from said c'asingon the gravity opening of tlieclosure. 4. `areceptacle, Vthe combination with a casing 'havingan'upper receiving opening Iand a bottom discharge opening, a gravity-v Vopenedv closure pivoted to said casing and normally closingsaid discharge opening, a

Ilocking'member for normally locking said closure, electromagnetic means for retracting said locking member out `of locking position topermit said closure to'tiltandv discharge Vthe contentsof the receptacle, and lmeans operatedby the tilting of saidV closure for breakingthe currentto said electromagnetic means.' 1 5. In a receptacle, thecoinbination with a casing, 1 of a"y pivotally"mounted gravityopenedclosurejfor vsaid casing, a locking member mounted on the closure and movable into engagement with a part on the casing to lock the closure, g an electromagnet mounted on the closure and co-operating with an armatiire to retract said locking member out of- Vlocking position, "Contact members connected 'to V said elect romagnetandjiiiovable with the closureg. ,c

a'ctterminalsfinlA tliecasingv co-, operating with's'aid contactmembers to conf nect said electromagnet with a current source for the retraction of said locking member,

whereby the opening fall of the closure will separate the contact members and terminals to open the supply circuit. z

6. In a receptacle, the combination with a casing, of a closure for said casing, a locking member movable to lock the closure and having a transverse opening, a bracket having an aperture in which said locking member is slidably mounted and guided, an electromagnetrc'ooperating with an armature to re'-V tract said locking member out "of locking position, a locking; pin slidably mounted in said bracket to enter said bracket aperture and adapted to normally enter said opening in the locking member to prevent movement of said locking member out of locking position, and an electromagnet cooperating with 4 an armature to withdraw said locking pin out of engagement with said locking member,

whereby said llocking member can be electromagnetically retract-ed. Y

7. In a receptacle, the combination with a casing, of a closure for said casing, a locking member movable to lock the closure, an electromagnet for retracting said locking member ont of locking position, Vmeans for supporting said casing including a stationary terminal block having connection( with a source of current,` a terminal block movable with the casing and having connections to said electromagnet, said terminal blocks cooperating to establish a circuit'tok said electromagnet and permitting removal of said casing terminal block off of said stationary terminal block, thereupon preventing lactuation .of said locking member.

Y 8. In a receptacle, the combination of a casing having a movableV closure, electro.- magnetic means within said casingfor opening said closure, a terminal member movable e with the casing and having connection with said electro-magnetic means, and means for supporting said casing including a stationary terminal member having connection withk a source of current and being detachably en- .gageable with said first-named terminal member, said terminal members co-operating to establish a circuit to said electro-magnetic means and being detachable upon the removal of said casing from its normal supported position to'prevent actuation of said electro-magnetic means. l

9. The combination of a. movable locking member, a member engaged by said locking member when said locking member is in locking position, electromagnetic means for retracting said locking member out of locking position, a retaining member normally engageable with saidV locking member to prevent movement of said lockingV member out of lockingposition, a second electromagnetic means for retracting said retaining member out of engagement with saidjlocking member, and circuit-closer meansfor controlling the successive operation of said two electromagnetic means to move said locking member. out of locking position and for preventing the operation of said first-named electro Y MAURICE J. DU FEA'U. 

